The Confederation of Professional Golf, the sole member of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, and as such a partner to the European Tour and the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland in Ryder Cup Europe, offer their congratulations to the European Captain, José María Olazábal, and his team on their incredible victory over the United States in this year’s Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, Illinois.
The 39th Ryder Cup is one that will go down in history with a vibrant, enthusiastic, and emotional atmosphere to it, made even more poignant by the European Team retaining the trophy in such charismatic and dramatic style, whilst being watched over by a very special Ryder Cup Legend in Seve Ballesteros.
It is the Confederation of Professional Golf’s great pleasure to offer their congratulations to the European Team players, to European Captain, José María Olazábal, to the players’ partners and to all the officials involved with the European side’s record-equaling comeback win.
Chief Executive of the Confederation of Professional Golf, Ian Randell, said of the week’s extraordinary play, “To witness such a significant moment in European golf was of course very memorable and it’s difficult to be able to convey in words the amazing achievements of the players, Captain Olazábal, families, caddies and all that make up ‘Team Europe’.
“The quality of players that European countries are producing is evidence of the ever-increasing and improving development processes and coaching taking place across the continent – especially evident when a country the size of Belgium can produce a world-class talent such as Nicolas Colsaerts.”
Ian Poulter, alongside his partner Rory McIlory, proved to be the inspiration that installed the belief in the European camp that the victory remained a possibility with their amazing fourball performance on Saturday afternoon.
Team Europe still entered the final day with a four-point deficit behind the United States team, but with outstanding performances from Donald, Poulter, McIlroy, and Rose, they managed to level the score very early on.
Then it was down to impassioned wins from Garcia, Lawrie, and Westwood to keep Europe in the hunt with only two matches left.
Martin Kaymer and Steve Stricker fought it out in a matchup that had each player leading at some point during the tie. But as seemed inevitable the match came down to the last hole with Kaymer requiring a half to ensure retention of the trophy for the Europeans. After an overshot first putt, but a drilled in second for Stricker, it was left to Kaymer to answer the question. He did so in an emphatic manner with a solid effort to the centre of the cup gained the 14 points necessary to ensure the trophy headed back across the pond to European shores.
Woods and Molinari continued their match up the last hole in the knowledge that the trophy was already secure, and after a missed putt on the last for Woods, the match was conceded to Europe for a half to give a win for Europe of 14.5 points to 13.5 points.
In a final day that showed the strength, and mettle of the European players, their Captain, and Vice-Captains, it was only fitting that the performance was dedicated to Ryder Cup and European golfing legend, Seve Ballesteros.
“I have thoughts for my friend Seve. This one is for him,” Captain Olazabal said. “All men die, but not all men live. You [Team Europe] made me feel alive again this week. I’m pretty sure Seve is very happy where he is today.”
Europe won the 2012 Ryder Cup with 14.5 points to Team USA’s 13.5.
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For more information from this year’s Ryder Cup visit The Confederation of Professional Golf on Twitter – @PGAsofEurope – or at the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook page.
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